Many new titles are coming to home video this Tuesday, including some hit flicks and a big time flop. If you can’t make it out to the movies this week, there’s plenty of titles out to choose from (many of which this site reviewed earlier in the year!). Be sure to look them over and check them out!
Big New Releases!
2 Guns – Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg team up for this buddy cop flick with a mean streak about two undercover agents embroiled with criminals in the Mexican drug trade. Bill Paxton, James Marsden, Edward James Olmos, Paula Patton and Fred Ward also appear. The film garnered both positive and negative reactions, with some complimenting the efforts of the stars, but not the script they had been given to work with. This likely makes it a better flick to watch at home on the small screen. Read our original review here.
All Is Bright – This Christmas-themed independent black comedy received a very limited release a couple of months back and ended up receiving mostly mixed/negative reviews, with many noting that the story meandered far too much. Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd star as a pair of con men scheming to make some much needed money by selling Christmas trees. From the notices and limited promotion, it certainly would have been a dicey call to pay full price on at the cinema, but viewers can now check it out inexpensively at home.
Paranoia – This thriller ended up a tremendous bust at the box office and one of the most critically reviled efforts of the year. An eager young man is recruited as an undercover spy by a corporate tech firm but finds his loyalties tested after falling for a young woman at a rival company. It was roundly criticized as a cheesy, CW-style thriller that focused too much on Liam Hemsworth and not enough on supporting actors Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman. Curious parties can now check it out, but be sure to also read our original review here.
Planes – Originally devised as a straight-to-video title, this DisneyToon flick received a theatrical release thanks to the tremendous success of Pixar’s Cars series. The animated spin-off follows the exploits of a group of planes who… also like to race with each other. Reviews were tepid, suggesting that this flick is exclusively for children. Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Julie Louis-Dreyfus, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Sinbad provide the voices.
The To Do List – Another small, independent film, this teenage sex comedy takes a different perspective from others of its ilk by focusing on a young woman. It got mixed reviews and didn’t make much of an impact upon its theatrical release, but it will probably play better as a rental. The talented TV-centric cast features Parks & Recreation‘s AubreyPlaza as the lead, with Rachel Bilson, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg and Donald Glover also appearing in supporting roles.
We’re the Millers – The week’s second drug-trade related film featured a decidedly lighter take on the subject matter and was rewarded for its efforts by being one of the summer’s biggest box office smashes. A marijuana dealer has to get his supply from Mexico across the border into the US. His scheme involves hiring a motley crew to pretend to be his family, leading to all kinds of wackiness. Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts, Will Poulter, Nick Offerman, Ed Helms, Ken Marino and Luis Guzman star. Read the original review here.
The World’s End – Filmmaker Edgar Wright follows up Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz with this comedic play on science-fiction films. It follows a sad sack 40-something who attempts to finish a pub crawl with his pals despite an impending attack from an otherworldly force. A big hit with critics, this effort didn’t really expand far outside of its niche fan base. However, like the two films that preceded it, this title is destined for cult movie status. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Martin Freeman star. The original review for the film is available here.
Blasts from the Past!
Speaking of cult movies, there are numerous noteworthy releases. Blue Underground brings the goofy B-movie sequels Maniac Cop 2 and Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence to blu-ray, with new transfers and numerous special features. The first sequel is highly recommended for cult movie fans. It’s a busy week for Shout! Factory, who are releasing the 1991 Gregory Hines action flick (yes, you read that right) Eve of Destruction, the 80’s horror/comedy Night of the Comet and the 1995 comic book adaptation Tank Girl. The highlight of the week, however, is listed below.
Assault on Precinct 13 – Before he hit the big time with Halloween, director John Carpenter shot this 1976 low-budget action flick about an L.A. police station under siege by a vicious street gang. Conceived as a modern update of the western Rio Bravo, the flick featured some pretty tense moments and great performances (particularly from criminal turned hero Austin Stoker) and stands as a perfect example of how to make a little film with minimal resources work. Shout! Factory has a new Blu-ray/DVD combo package with a brilliant new transfer, a great Carpenter commentary track and some all new interviews and press materials. For those who like their action “old school” and hard-boiled, this cult classic is one of the best.
You Know, For Kids!
The Little Mermaid II & Ariel’s Beginning – This Blu-ray/DVD combo contains two feature length, straight-to-video animated sequels to the Disney classic The Little Mermaid. Obviously, they’re not in the same league as the first film, but if your child can’t get enough of the original, this double feature may be a cost effective option to entertain them.
Planes – Probably your best bet this week for kids. Review the review above.
On the Tube!
It’s a quiet week for TV series, but here are the highlights.
Lilyhammer: Season 1
Lost Girl: Season 3
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 5 Blu-ray
Treme: Season 3
Touched by an Angel: 9th and Final Season